Former Gov. John G. Rowland says that the constant negative commercials that have been filling the Connecticut airwaves will boomerang and hurt voter turnout on November 2.

Rowland said on his radio program on WTIC-AM that the negativity is a "total turnoff'' that will depress the turnout.

"I think it's going to be an all-time low,'' Rowland said Monday. "I don't see passion for the candidates.''

During the August primary, only 25 percent of Democrats voted in the primary between former Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy and Greenwich cable TV executive Ned Lamont. About 30 percent of Republicans voted in the three-way primary that was won by Greenwich business executive Tom Foley over Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele and longtime business executive Oz Griebel of Simsbury.

The primaries featured numerous negative commercials, and that trend has continued for the general election. The negative ads are not only in the governor's race but also in the U.S. Senate race between Democrat Richard Blumenthal and Republican Linda McMahon.

I agree with Rowland that the negative ads are a turn off, but believe voter turnout may be bettter than he expects. There are many voters very angry with the Washington crowd and I believe are highly motivated to vote. My feeling is the incumbents may do worse than the polls expect.

Dear Hawley,
I hope you realize how hateful your comment is. Read the words of a grateful American citizen here below. Someday it could be you.
IN HIS OWN WORDS: MICHAEL BIGGIO

Michael Biggio went to prison on marijuana and assault charges in 2000 and completed his parole last week.

Last year, the 29-year-old from Littleton founded the Free Coalition, which stands for Felons Regaining Equal Employment. He runs the nonprofit from Denver and is helping ex-prisoners enter society and find work. Here's what he says about voting. His comments have been edited for space and clarity:

* I've never voted in my life. I spent the majority of my life incarcerated. While I was in the prison system there was some going back and forth and some misinformation about whether we could vote.

I argue with ex-prisoners every day. Sometimes they are heated arguments. They tell me, "No, I can't vote." The main confusion is for people on probation, who are permitted to vote.

I registered to vote a few weeks ago. I recently walked by a voter registration table and they asked me if I was registered. It was the first time I said "yes."

I'll go to the polls on Election Day. I'll get my "I voted" sticker, put it on and run around and show everybody.

Being able to vote is a big deal. When you go to prison, you get everything taken away from you. It's all about getting as many rights back as you can.

Getting back the right to vote - that's an American right. It's huge. It's the final step.